The Kosciusko County Convention & Visitors Bureau on Wednesday approved a slate of publicity and sponsorship grants for 2025, awarding funds to several local nonprofits and event organizers. The board unanimously approved a $19,000 grant toward a new competition boat for the Lake City Skiers and approved a $2,500 sponsorship request from Grace College for targeted advertising for an October homecoming concert.

Why it matters: Many local tournaments and cultural events drive overnight stays, restaurant sales and other visitor spending. Board members said the awards are intended to boost regional attendance at events that bring hotel and restaurant business to the county.

The board approved the Lake City Skiers request after hearing that the organization needs a replacement boat, motors and rigging to continue hosting regional and international tournaments. Tracy Patrick and a Skiers representative described the boat as a necessary safety and capacity upgrade; the board approved $19,000, with the organization planning to seek other sponsors and to use donated labor to complete the project.

Grace College requested $5,000 to target regional digital advertising for a Nashville-based artist booked for Oct. 4. The board did not act immediately on the full $5,000 request, and later approved a $2,500 sponsorship after an in-meeting proposal by a hotel general manager to support targeted marketing to bring nonlocal attendees to Winona Lake.

Other approved publicity grants included requests from Classic Arts/Classic Arts Now, Oakwood/Chautauqua programming and the Kosciusko County Historical Society. Classic Arts asked for several marketing items and requested a larger digital campaign; the board approved a motion allocating $4,000 toward specific items (Senior Life magazine placement, a Fort Wayne newspaper buy split with the applicant, and production/distribution of 5x7 info cards for hotels). Oakwood’s Chautauqua program and the Historical Society each received approval for publicity funding; amounts were discussed at the meeting but not specified in the public remarks.

Several applicants and staff emphasized that grants are distributed as reimbursement grants: recipients must spend the funds and submit receipts to the KCCRVC finance staff to claim reimbursement. Board staff (Alyssa) repeated instructions to include the KCCRVC logo in funded advertising and to submit receipts to the office for reimbursement.

What the board approved (selected actions): the Lake City Skiers — $19,000 (motion approved); Grace College — $2,500 (motion approved); Classic Arts — $4,000 targeted for Senior Life, Fort Wayne newspaper (half), and 5x7 hotel info cards (motion approved); Oakwood Chautauqua events — publicity grants approved (amounts not specified in meeting remarks); Kosciusko County Historical Society — publicity grant approved (amount not specified).

Board members noted that some applicants will pursue matching or additional outside sponsorships and that larger capital or equipment requests can be returned to the board later as reimbursement grants.

Meeting process notes: Board members asked applicants questions about audience geography, projected attendance, ticket pricing and whether events are open to the public. Applicants described expected out‑of‑county and out‑of‑state visitors, hotel stays and related local spending. The board used motions and voice votes; in most grant votes the chair called for “all in favor” and recorded unanimous approval.

The board reminded applicants that reimbursement paperwork and use of the KCCRVC logo are required for funded advertising to be reimbursed.